Adam is such a tough and resilient kid and hasn't let being in a
wheelchair slow him down and last year he was just about to go on
Ski Camp with Camp Quality ACT only to miss out due to breaking
both Femur Bones in both legs having fallen awkwardly out of his
wheelchair. However our life took a positive turn when we relocated
from ACT to QLD in December 2009 and got involved with the South
Queensland branch of Camp Quality!!
To recap, the only camp Adam had been on was his first one in
2006 and with his reoccurrence and now paraplegia my son & I
have been pretty much joined at the hip (as I was also a teachers
aid at school to assist Adam's medical needs).....then Adam was
invited to the QLD Main Camp in July 2010 and whilst we were both
excited we also had concerns how it would all work given Adam's
special needs.
It was truly remarkable how the entire CQ South QLD team pulled
everything together with encouraging us to allow Adam to attend,
acknowledging our special needs and coming up with games plans to
make it all work, alleviating our fears, regular contact, assigning
such a great companion 'Josh' (who we've kept in contact with
outside camp), organising the medical staff with nurse Kim making a
couple of special house calls to ensure Adam was comfortable with
someone else performing the medical procedures (which had only ever
been done my his parents and NO one else), Kim too has become a
family friend outside camp and the team sorting out bedding needs
etc....just everything!!
The QLD Main camp, the team, volunteers and especially the kids
that attended have without doubt changed ALL our lives forever!!
The camp allowed my husband and I some time out (however I must
confess I will be better next camp with the separation
anxiety..haha!), it gave Adam's brother Ryan some space and one on
one time with his parents and most importantly it gave all of us
and especially Adam the confidence to trust in others to look after
him.
For Adam to attend this camp completely on his own was a huge
milestone for him personally which has paid off big time. He had
such a terrific time, being independent, making some great new
friends and just to be able to muck around with his peers in a care
free / activity packed / fun atmosphere was exactly what Adam
needed !!
When Adam returned home he was a different kid, he's always been
cheeky, loving and a toughie but after camp he now had a sparkle in
his eye - a new zest for life and a new inner confidence that we
will always be eternally grateful for. He now can't wait for the
next camps!!
Words can't express our appreciation and we sincerely thank
everyone in the South QLD Camp Quality Team for what you've done
for Adam and for all of us !!
from Chris, Darryn, Ryan & Adam Sewell